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Subject Topic: RAPIDO EXPORT Post Reply Post New Topic
Personkateandagainkate
17/6/2018 at 10:51pm
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hi, we have a rapido export. The guy who did the work on it recently to get it to a reasonable standard showed me how to put it up but when we tried today, my friend and I are just too short.
She was actually injured trying to open it up as it's just too heavy for our height (if that makes sense). Shame as it's a fantastic caravan and just booked a holiday this week.
Anyway, someone suggested adding a winch to the side so we can slowly open and close the sides with some control. Has anyone done this or does anyone have any tips about doing this or other suggestions?
Otherwise we're just going to have to sell it or try and swap it for a trailer tent if they're easier and lighter because we're just not tall enough to open it safely. Would appreciate any constructive advice. Thank you so much.
Am a little gutted after having never used it.
Kate


PersonGrampian91
18/6/2018 at 1:22am
 Location: Midlands
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If your too short, would a step or pair of steps work?

Add a winch to the side?   The sidewalls are not really designed to attach winches. From what i remember they are quite flexible so to attach anything will need something to spread the load. But then it will not fold away properly.

Where would you attach the other end of the winch?

If height is an issue a trailer tent maybe a struggle also, i stopped using my full caravan awning because the poles and heavy material got too much for me.

Other types of folding caravan can have gas struts to help lift the walls but even those can still need a bit of muscle to lift to a point where the strut helps.


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Personkateandagainkate
18/6/2018 at 10:51pm
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thanks for your reply and very pleased that I can understand it as so much of the caravanning talk goes way over my not very caravanny head! Good question about where to attach other side of winch, it was someone else's idea and so not really sure - after advice. I think the length of the side is the problem and on stepladder would probably not be very safe when it came down. We just need to find a way to bring it up and over in a more controlled way so it doesn't smash on to riggers (?) or worse, people! I wonder if a hook on each side of (what would become) the top, and a long pole might do the job? Thank you for humouring me to this point and apologies if anything I'm saying seems a nonsense, I'm desperately trying to find a way that we can keep this having spent so much getting it usable!


PersonGrampian91
18/6/2018 at 11:54pm
 Location: Midlands
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There is a youtube video of one guy putting up a Rapido Export (pretty it was that van), he put the entire thing up in a couple of minutes on his own.

2 people and 2 decent steps, i can still se it being fairly physical to assemble.



1 minute 49 seconds...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OG9p6FpjH4

.


PersonJax365
19/6/2018 at 10:52am
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I wonder if two of those poles and u-hooks or O hooks, like the ones they have in schools to open high windows, might work? I still think that weight will be a problem though, when it goes over and down onto the base.

Other than that, ask for help from the campsite owners or fellow campers?

-------------


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PersonGrampian91
19/6/2018 at 12:21pm
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Yeah that base looked heavy and then the issue of holding the roof up to support the walls, may need 3 hands for that.


Personkateandagainkate
20/6/2018 at 10:29pm
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thanks for your support guys - that's exactly what I envisaged, the school window type pole! yes two may just do it... someone else suggested a strap threaded through the metal bit on the side, apparently it works for them :-)


Person_tich_
21/6/2018 at 9:28am
 Location: Near kettering Northamptonshire.
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A strap opposite does indeed work as I've opened up an Export my myself on a few occasions & I'm only 5ft5" although not for the faint hearted plus if it were windy a definite no no. Also make sure the handle you use to lever it open is fully extended as it's often overlooked, that way you will get enough leverage to open it. If you've joined this site then there's plenty of folk who can help you out plus with a rally coming up in August if you could make the dates there would be plenty of folk there to give you a more hands on approach with the technique.

Rapido Folding Caravan Group


Personnavver
21/6/2018 at 7:54pm
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I'm sure if you went to a site and asked for help from an adjacent caravanner or camper, I'm sure they would help. I know I would.


PersonGareth Stell
04/7/2018 at 2:48am
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I am having the very same problem also. When using a strap, are you fixing it to the strengthening arches?? I seem to think they are not strong enough for a sideways force and maybe damaged????


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PersonGareth Stell
04/7/2018 at 2:52am
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I also have a feeling it coukd be the weight of the cushions that is not helping? It would be a real pain having to transport then in the van instead, but if it makes it useable?????..


PersonGareth Stell
04/7/2018 at 8:37am
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Thats not an export, its the confort. Even with two people you wont get the export to budge!!



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